Dual trip manifold assembly for turbine systems

ABSTRACT

A dual trip manifold assembly (TMA) includes an isolation valve assembly having a first valve configured to receive a flow of fluid from a hydraulic system fluid supply. The first valve is configured to channel the flow of fluid to at least one hydraulic circuit. The isolation valve assembly also includes a second valve configured to receive the flow of fluid from the at least one hydraulic circuit. The second valve is further configured to channel the fluid flow to a trip header. The first valve and the second valve are synchronized to each other such that rotation of one valve causes a substantially similar rotation in the other valve.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/342,029 filed on May 26, 2016,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter described herein relates generally to turbinesystems, and more particularly, to a dual trip manifold assembly forturbine systems.

At least some known turbine systems include emergency overspeedprotection systems (EOPS) that facilitate shutting down the turbinesystem under certain operating conditions. Some known turbine and EOPSsystems use a hydraulic system to initiate and control the shutdown ofthe turbine systems via a trip manifold assembly (TMA). However, someTMAs are susceptible to contamination that is present in turbinehydraulic control systems. This can result in reduced performance of theEOPS systems. In addition, maintenance and repair of the TMA duringoperation is limited due to the use of the TMA by the turbine systems.At least some turbine operators need an online-maintainable EOPS systemthat enables online maintenance and repair/replacement of the TMA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a dual trip manifold assembly (TMA) is provided. The dualTMA includes an isolation valve assembly including a first valveconfigured to receive a flow of fluid from a hydraulic system fluidsupply. The first valve is configured to channel the flow of fluid to atleast one hydraulic circuit of at least two hydraulic circuits. Theisolation valve assembly also includes a second valve configured toreceive the flow of fluid from the at least one hydraulic circuit of theat least two hydraulic circuits. The second valve is further configuredto channel the fluid flow to a trip header. The first valve and thesecond valve are synchronized to each other such that rotation of one ofthe first and second valves causes a substantially similar rotation inthe other of the first and second valves.

In another aspect, an emergency overspeed protection system is provided.The emergency overspeed protection system includes at least one tripmanifold assembly (TMA) including a fluid supply header and a tripheader coupled in flow communication to the fluid supply header. Theemergency overspeed protection system also includes an isolation valveassembly including a first valve configured to receive a flow of fluidfrom a hydraulic system fluid supply. The first valve is coupled in flowcommunication to the fluid supply header. The isolation valve assemblyalso includes a second valve coupled to the trip header. The secondvalve is configured to receive the flow of fluid from the trip header.The first valve and the second valve are coupled to each other such thatclosing the first valve with respect to at least one TMA causes thesecond valve to close with respect to the at least one TMA, therebyisolating at least one TMA from the flow of fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary steam turbine system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for use with the steamturbine system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a dual trip manifold assembly for use withthe steam turbine system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a trip manifold assembly for use withthe dual trip manifold assembly shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an isolation valve assembly for usewith dual trip manifold assembly shown in FIG. 3.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided herein are meant toillustrate features of embodiments of the disclosure. These features arebelieved to be applicable in a wide variety of systems comprising atleast one embodiment of the disclosure. As such, the drawings are notmeant to include all conventional features known by those of ordinaryskill in the art to be required for the practice of the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made toa number of terms, which shall be defined to have the followingmeanings.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially”, are notto be limited to the precise value specified. In at least someinstances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision ofan instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout thespecification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/orinterchanged; such ranges are identified and include all the sub-rangescontained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

The present disclosure provides techniques for protecting turbinesystems. In particular, the disclosure provides a modular turbineprotection system having redundancy, increased reliability, and theability to be tested and repaired while the turbine system is running.The turbine protection system includes two trip manifold assembliesconnected together with an isolation valve assembly. As described morefully below, embodiments of the protection system relate to an isolationvalve assembly that provides for removing from service, testing,repairing, and returning to service one of the two trip manifoldassemblies without shutting down the turbine system. Other embodimentsare within the scope of the disclosure.

More particularly, the present disclosure provides a modular dual tripmanifold assembly (dual TMA) that is an improved contaminationresistant, triple modular redundant (TMR), fault tolerant,online-testable, online-maintainable, electro-mechanical-hydraulicassembly that functions as an interface between a turbine control systemand hydraulically-powered final control components (e.g., stop, control,intercept, and/or reheat stop valves) of the turbine control and anemergency shutdown system. The dual TMA includes two trip manifoldassemblies coupled in a parallel configuration to the isolation valveassembly. Each TMA includes a TMR arrangement of isolation valves, pilotsolenoid valves, hydraulic shutoff valves, instrumented depressurization(dump) valves, hydraulic relay valves, orifices, filters, and checkvalves. The dual TMA provides increased turbine tripping, runningreliability, and contamination resistance. In addition, the dual TMA canbe used in high pressure hydraulic control systems having for example,pressures up to about 3000 pounds per square inch (psig), andpreferably, pressures at about 2400 psig. The dual TMA providesincreased flow capacity, fast response, and high contamination toleranceto the contamination that is present in the turbine hydraulic controlsystem. The isolation valve assembly provides for both sides of the dualTMA to be in operation for increased tripping reliability. In addition,the dual TMA provides for either side to be isolated from the system toperform online maintenance to the isolated TMA. The dual TMA alsoprovides for pressurizing and testing the isolated TMA while the turbinesystem is online.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary steam turbine system 100.While FIG. 1 describes an exemplary steam turbine, it should be notedthat the apparatus and systems described herein are not limited to anyone particular type of turbine system. One of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the apparatus and systems described herein may beused with any rotary machine, including for example, a gas turbineengine, in any suitable configuration that enables such an apparatus andsystem to operate as further described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, steam turbine system 100 is a single-flowsteam turbine system. Alternatively, steam turbine system 100 is anytype of steam turbine, for example, and without limitation, alow-pressure turbine, an opposed-flow, high-pressure andintermediate-pressure steam turbine combination, and a double-flow steamturbine engine. Moreover, as discussed above, the present disclosure isnot limited to only being used in steam turbine systems and can be usedin other turbine systems, such as gas turbine engines.

In the exemplary embodiment, steam turbine system 100 includes a steamturbine 102 coupled to a load 104 by a rotatable shaft 106. Steamturbine system 100 also includes one or more valves 108 coupled to steamturbine 102. Valves 108 control a fluid flow to steam turbine 102. Steamturbine 102 uses the fluid flow, for example, steam and/or fuel, togenerate power used to turn rotatable shaft 106 and load 104. In oneembodiment, load 104 is an electrical generator configured to generateelectrical energy as it is rotated by the work extracted from the fluidflow to steam turbine 102. Alternatively, load 104 can be any type ofdriven load. In the exemplary embodiment, load 104 includes an output,for example, and without limitation, electrical energy. In the exemplaryembodiment, steam turbine 102 exhausts an expanded fluid flow 110.Expanded fluid flow 110 is channeled to, for example, and withoutlimitation, a heat exchanger 112 for extracting additional energy fromexpanded fluid flow 110, exhausted to atmosphere, or used for any otherpurpose that enables steam turbine system 100 to function as describedherein.

In the exemplary embodiment, valves 108 include, for example, andwithout limitation, a plurality of valves that regulate the fluid intakeof steam turbine 102. Valves 108 are coupled to a dual trip manifoldassembly (dual TMA) 114 and are communicatively coupled to a controlsystem 116 to form a portion of an emergency overspeed protection system(EOPS) 117. Valves 108 are actuated and/or positioned via control system116 to facilitate fluid intake by steam turbine 102. Valves 108 include,for example, and without limitation, hydraulic powered stop valves andsafety valves that are actuated or controlled by dual TMA 114 during anemergency shutdown, or trip of steam turbine 102. To facilitateactuating hydraulic powered valves 108, dual TMA 114 is coupled in fluidcommunication to a hydraulic system fluid supply 118. Hydraulic systemfluid supply 118 operates to supply a pressurized hydraulic fluid todual TMA 114 to operate dual TMA 114 for actuating valves 108 to shutdown or trip steam turbine 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of control system 116 for use with steamturbine 102 (shown in FIG. 1). Control system 116 generates andimplements various control algorithms and techniques to control steamturbine 102, valves 108, dual TMA 114, and hydraulic system fluid supply118. In the exemplary embodiment, control system 116 includes aprocessor 202 for executing instructions. In some embodiments,executable instructions are stored in a memory device 204. Processor 202includes one or more processing units (e.g., in a multi-coreconfiguration). Memory device 204 is any device allowing informationsuch as executable instructions and/or other data to be stored andretrieved. Memory device 204 stores parameters for controlling theoperation of steam turbine 102, as described in more detail herein.Memory device 204 includes one or more computer-readable media.

In the exemplary embodiment, control system 116 includes at least onepresentation interface component 206 for presenting information to auser 208. Presentation interface 206 is any component capable ofconveying information to user 208. In some embodiments, presentationinterface 206 includes an output adapter such as a video adapter and/oran audio adapter. The output adapter is operatively coupled to processor202 and operatively coupleable to an output device such as a displaydevice (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), one or more light emittingdiodes (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, cathoderay tube (CRT), or “electronic ink” display) or an audio output device(e.g., a speaker or headphones). In some embodiments, the output deviceis a remote device, and presentation interface 206 is configured toenable communication through a short range wireless communicationprotocol such as Bluetooth™ or Z-Wave™, through a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) implemented pursuant to an IEEE (Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard (i.e., WiFi), and/or througha mobile phone (i.e., cellular) network (e.g., Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM), 3G, 4G) or other mobile data network (e.g.,Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX)), or a wiredconnection (i.e., one or more conductors for transmitting electricalsignals). In other embodiments, control system 116 does not includepresentation interface 206.

Control system 116 includes a user input interface 210 for receivinginput from user 208. User input interface 210 may include, for example,without limitation, one or more buttons, a keypad, a touch sensitivepanel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), and/or a microphone. Asingle component such as a touch screen may function as both an outputdevice of presentation interface component 206 and user input interface210. Some embodiments of control system 116 do not include user inputinterface 210.

In the exemplary embodiment, control system 116 includes a communicationinterface 212, which is communicatively coupleable to one or more remotedevices 214, for example, and without limitation, valves and sensors. Insome embodiments, communication interface 212 is configured to enablecommunication through a short range wireless communication protocol suchas Bluetooth™ or Z-Wave™ through WiFi, and/or through a mobile phone(i.e., cellular) network (e.g., Global System for Mobile communications(GSM), 3G, 4G) or other mobile data network (e.g., WIMAX), or a wiredconnection (i.e., one or more conductors for transmitting electricalsignals). In embodiments that communication interface 212 couplescontrol system 116 to one or more valves, communication interface 212may include, for example, one or more conductors for transmittingelectrical signals and/or power to and/or from the valves.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of dual TMA 114 for use with steam turbinesystem 100 (shown in FIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment, dual TMA 114includes an isolation valve assembly 302 coupled to a first tripmanifold assembly (TMA1) 304 and a second trip manifold assembly (TMA2)306. TMA1 and TMA2 are coupled together in parallel via isolation valveassembly 302. TMA1 and TMA2 are any type of trip manifold assembly thatenables steam turbine system 100 to function as described herein, forexample, and without limitation, any electro-hydraulic trip manifoldassembly suitable for use with steam turbine system 100. In theexemplary embodiment, TMA1 and TMA2 are identical trip manifoldassemblies. TMA1 and TMA2 include parallel arrangements of solenoidvalves, hydraulic block valves, instrumented dump valves, relay valves,orifices, filters, check valves, or other similar valves assembled as asingle, integrated hydraulic circuit. In the exemplary embodiment,valves 108 are coupled to isolation valve assembly 302. As describedherein, valves 108 are actuated and/or positioned via control system 116(shown in FIG. 1) to facilitate fluid intake by steam turbine 102 (shownin FIG. 1). Dual TMA 114, and more particularly, isolation valveassembly 302, is coupled in fluid communication to a hydraulic systemfluid supply 118. Hydraulic system fluid supply 118 operates to supply apressurized hydraulic fluid to dual TMA 114 to operate dual TMA 114 foractuating valves 108 to shut down or trip steam turbine 102.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of TMA1 304 for use with dual TMA 114(shown in FIG. 3). As described herein, in the exemplary embodiment,TMA1 and TMA2 are identical, and thus the detailed description of TMA1304 herein applies equally to TMA2 306. In the exemplary embodiment,TMA1 304 includes three sets of internal block valves 402, three sets ofdump valves 404, solenoid valves 406, relay valves 408, fluid supplyheader 410, trip header 412, and vent port 414 arranged as a singlehydraulic circuit. Internal block valves 402, internal dump valves 404,solenoid valves 406, and relay valves 408 are used to depressurize tripheader 412 to close valves 108 (shown in FIG. 1), for example, forroutine and emergency shut-downs of steam turbine 102.

In the exemplary embodiment, the TMA1 304 includes three parallel fluidflow paths, each fluid flow path including a respective one of the threesets of internal block valves 402 (each set including two valves inseries). The parallel sets of block valves 402 receive fluid from fluidsupply header 410. The three parallel fluid flow paths are coupled influid communication to a drain 416. Each of the three parallel fluidflow paths coupled to drain 416 is controlled by a respective dump valve404 set (each set of dump valves 404 including two valves in series).Each block valve 402 set is a hydraulically operated valve set for arespective one of the three fluid flow paths extending therefrom.

In the exemplary embodiment, solenoid valves 406 include threepoppet-solenoid valves 406 of a dry-pin configuration used to controlthe hydraulic pilot pressure to open or close one or more of relayvalves 408, block valves 402, and/or dump valves 404 as part of thetriple modular redundant (TMR) design of TMA1 304. Thus, if one ofsolenoid valves 406, relay valves 408, block valves 402, and/or dumpvalves 404 fail or is otherwise inoperable, TMA1 304 continues tooperate. In the exemplary embodiment, block valves 402, dump valves 404,and solenoid valves 406 operate according to a “voting” logic (e.g.,two-out-of-three) controlled by control system 116 (shown in FIG. 1) toseparate two of the three hydraulic fluid flow paths and maintain atleast one fluid depressurization path.

In the exemplary embodiment, when solenoid valves 406 are energized,block valves 402 are opened, thereby opening fluid supply header 410,and dump valves 404 are closed to channel the fluid to and pressurizetrip header 412. This ensures that a failure of a single solenoid valve406 does not affect the operability of TMA1 304. When solenoid valves406 are de-energized, fluid supply header 410 to trip header 412 isblocked, and trip header 412 is depressurized via dump valves 404. Thus,as described herein, a failure of a single solenoid valve 406 does notaffect the tripping function of TMA1 304. TMA1 304 continuously providestripping and/or emergency shutdown functionality even when one ofsolenoid valves 406 fails or is otherwise inoperable.

In the exemplary embodiment, TMA1 304 operates at a hydraulic pressurein the range between approximately 60 pounds per square inch (psig) andapproximately 3000 psig, and preferably, in the range betweenapproximately 60 psig and approximately 2400 psig. TMA1 304 provides alarge flow capacity, fast response times (e.g., as compared tonon-configurable and/or single-configuration manifolds), and increasedtolerance to contamination in steam turbine 102 hydraulic fluid controlsystems. For example, the arrangement of dump valves 404 and relayvalves 408 facilitates a decrease in response time as compared tonon-configurable and/or single-configuration manifolds. In addition,TMA1 304 provides for increased fluid flow rates due to an increase ineffective flow area provided by TMA1 304 without significantlyincreasing a physical size of TMA1 304.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of isolation valve assembly 302 for usewith dual TMA 114 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). With reference to FIGS. 1and 3-5, in the exemplary embodiment, isolation valve assembly 302 is avalve assembly configured to couple to two discrete TMAs, for example,TMA1 304 and TMA2 306. Isolation valve assembly 302 allows for bothsides of dual TMA 114 to be in operation to facilitate increasedtripping reliability. In addition, isolation valve assembly 302 isconfigured to isolate either side of isolation valve assembly 302 tofacilitate online maintenance of either TMA1 304 or TMA2 306, thusfacilitating increasing running reliability of steam turbine 102. Forexample, and without limitation, online maintenance of TMA1 304 or TMA2306 can be completed with either of TMA1 304 or TMA2 306 left coupled toisolation valve assembly 302, or with either of TMA1 304 or TMA2 306completely decoupled and removed from isolation valve assembly 302. Inone embodiment, one of TMA1 304 or TMA2 306 is decoupled and removedfrom isolation valve assembly 302 and replaced with another tripmanifold assembly, such as a spare trip manifold assembly. In theexemplary embodiment, because isolation valve assembly 302 is asymmetric valve assembly and TMA1 304 and TMA2 306 are substantiallyidentical, isolation valve assembly 302 will be described with referenceto a first side “A” and a second side “B.” In addition, fluid supplyheader 410, trip header 412, and vent port 414 of TMA1 304 and TMA2 306will include an “A” or “B” designation with regards to FIG. 5, dependingon the side of isolation valve assembly 302 to which the components arecoupled. In the exemplary embodiment, TMA1 304 will be described asbeing coupled to side “A” and TMA2 306 will be described as beingcoupled to side “B” of isolation valve assembly 302.

In the exemplary embodiment, isolation valve assembly 302 includes twothree-way ball valves or isolation valves, generally indicated at 502and 504. Isolation valves 502 and 504 are synchronized to each other viaa rotatable shaft 506, such that rotation of one valve causes asubstantially similar rotation in the other valve. A gearbox 508 iscoupled to rotatable shaft 506 to facilitate turning rotatable shaft 506to adjust a position of isolation valves 502 and 504 substantiallysimultaneously. Rotatable shaft 506 includes three position indicatorsor switches, generally indicated at 510, to facilitate indicating aposition, such as a correct position, of isolation valves 502 and 504during normal operation and during online maintenance of TMA1 304 andTMA2 306. In the exemplary embodiment, isolation valve assembly 302includes visual indicators, such as LEDs 512 and 514 that illuminatewhen switches 510 indicate a respective side of isolation valve assembly302 is in service. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, LED 512 islocated on side “A” and is configured to illuminate when side “A” is inservice. Similarly, LED 514 is located on side “B” and is configured toilluminate when side “B” is in service. When both sides “A” and “B” arein service, both LEDs 512 and 514 are illuminated. When rotatable shaft506 is rotated to take one side out of service, both LEDs 512 and 514are unlit or darkened until one side is completely isolated. When one ofsides “A” and “B” is completely isolated, the LED representing the sidethat remains in service is illuminated.

In the exemplary embodiment, gearbox 508 includes an input device, suchas a hand wheel 516 coupled to gearbox 508 via an over-torque protectoror clutch mechanism 518. Clutch mechanism 518 is configured to provideover-torque protection to gearbox 508 and isolation valves 502 and 504by slipping when an input torque, via hand wheel 516, for example,exceeds a predetermined torque value. Clutch mechanism 518 is configuredto provide repeatable over-torque protection without sustaining damageto clutch mechanism 518. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, atleast one of isolation valves 502 and 504 include locking mechanism (notshown) configured to lock one of isolation valves 502 and 504 in place,thereby preventing turning of valves 502 and 504. Locking isolationvalves 502 and 504 with both TMA1 304 and TMA2 306 in service, or withone of TMA1 304 and TMA2 306 out of service, facilitates preventing anerrant shutdown or trip, or causing an inadvertent shutdown or trip, ofsteam turbine 102. In addition, the locking mechanism facilitatespreventing the turning of valves 502 and 504 as may be required by localsafety procedures to prevent injuries and/or to prevent a discharge ofhigh pressure fluids.

Hydraulic system fluid supply 118 is coupled to an input supply line520, which is coupled to isolation valve 502. Depending on theorientation of isolation valve 502, a fluid is channeled to one or moreof fluid supply headers 410A and 410B of TMA1 304 and TMA2 306,respectively. As described herein, when solenoid valves 406 of TMA1 304and TMA2 306 are energized, block valves 402 are opened, thereby openingfluid supply headers 410A and 410B, and dump valves 404 are closed tochannel the fluid to and pressurize trip headers 412A and 412B of TMA1304 and TMA2 306, respectively. The fluid flows through isolation valve504 and is channeled to valves 108 via turbine trip header 522 tocontrol the fluid flow (not shown) to steam turbine 102 (shown in FIG.1).

When isolation valves 502 and 504 are turned to isolate one side ofisolation valve assembly 302, for example, side “A,” the fluid pressureat fluid supply header 410A is removed. At least a portion of the fluidand any residual pressure in TMA1 304 is released via drain 416 byopening dump valves 404 and/or vent port 414A via vent port valve 524A.Similarly, side “B” includes vent port 414B that is opened/closed via avent port valve 524B. In such a configuration of isolation valveassembly 302, TMA1 304 is off-line and can be removed from dual TMA 114,tested, maintained, or repaired, while TMA2 306 remains online tomaintain protection of steam turbine 102. This enables steam turbine 102to remain in service during maintenance of one of TMA1 304 and TMA2 306,thereby facilitating increasing the availability of steam turbine 102.

To return TMA1 304 to service, the fluid pressure in TMA1 304 isincreased to substantially the same fluid pressure as that in TMA2 306.In the exemplary embodiment, with side “A” of isolation valve assembly302 isolated, pressurization valves 526A and 526B are manually opened tofacilitate increasing the fluid pressure in TMA1 304 by channelingpressurized fluid from one side of isolation valve assembly 302 to theother. This enables fluid that is under pressure in TMA2 306 to flow toTMA1 304. To facilitate removing air from the hydraulic circuit of TMA1304, vent port valve 524A is opened. When the air is expelled from TMA1304, vent port valve 524A is closed, thereby enabling the fluid pressurein TMA1 304 to build to substantially the same fluid pressure as in TMA2306. Isolation valves 502 and 504 are turned to bring side “A” ofisolation valve assembly 302 back into service, and pressurizationvalves 526A and 526B are closed.

One advantage of dual TMA 114 is that isolation valve assembly 302facilitates online maintenance of all components of TMA1 304 and TMA2306, maintenance of vent port valves 524A and 524B, and maintenance ofpressurization valves 526A and 526B. This facilitates providing anemergency overspeed protection system that is Triple Modular Redundant,online-maintainable, and single point fault tolerant (even during onlinemaintenance mode) so latent component failures do not leave steamturbine 102 (shown in FIG. 1) unprotected. In addition, an advantage ofdual TMA 114 is that TMA1 304 and TMA2 306 can be isolated and/orremoved from service during operation of steam turbine 102, and areonline testable in order to identify component failures before they canaccumulate and leave steam turbine 102 unprotected or cause it to shutdown.

In contrast to known emergency overspeed protection systems (EOPS), thedual TMA system described herein provides a triple modular redundant(TMR), fault tolerant, online-testable, online-maintainable,electro-mechanical-hydraulic assembly that functions as an interfacebetween a turbine control system and hydraulically-powered final controlcomponents (e.g., stop, control, intercept, and/or reheat stop valves)of the turbine control and an emergency shutdown system, wherein one ofthe trip manifold assemblies (TMAs) can be isolated and removed from thesystem during operation of the turbine. Specifically, the dual TMAsystem includes two parallel TMAs coupled to an isolation valveassembly. Therefore, in contrast to known EOPS, the dual TMA describedherein facilitates increased turbine tripping and running reliability.In addition, the isolation valve assembly provides for both sides of thedual TMA to be in operation for increased tripping reliability. The dualTMA further provides for either side to be isolated and removed from thesystem, or isolated from the system to perform online maintenance to theisolated TMA, thereby providing for pressurizing and testing theisolated TMA while the turbine system is online.

An exemplary technical effect of the dual TMA described herein includesat least one of: (a) an interface between a turbine control system andhydraulically powered final control components of the turbine controland emergency shutdown system; (b) a contamination resistant and faulttolerant system that provides a triple modular redundant (TMR) design;(c) providing a parallel, redundant dual TMA system having an isolationvalve assembly; (d) isolating and/or removing one of the parallel,redundant dual TMAs from the EOPS; (e) removing, maintaining, repairing,and/or the isolated TMA while the turbine system remains online; and (f)testing and returning the isolated TMA to service while maintaining theturbine system online.

Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus and systems for emergencyoverspeed protection systems are described above in detail. Theapparatus and systems described herein are not limited to the specificembodiments described, but rather, components of apparatus and systemsmay be utilized independently and separately from other componentsdescribed herein. For example, and without limitation, the apparatus andsystems may also be used in combination with other turbine systems, andare not limited to practice with only the apparatus and systemsdescribed herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiments can be implementedand utilized in connection with many turbine protection systemapplications.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the disclosure maybe shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenienceonly. In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, any featureof a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with anyfeature of any other drawing.

Some embodiments involve the use of one or more electronic or computingdevices. Such devices typically include a processor, processing device,or controller, such as a general purpose central processing unit (CPU),a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a reducedinstruction set computer (RISC) processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic circuit (PLC), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processing (DSP)device, and/or any other circuit or processing device capable ofexecuting the functions described herein. The methods described hereinmay be encoded as executable instructions embodied in a computerreadable medium, including, without limitation, a storage device and/ora memory device. Such instructions, when executed by a processingdevice, cause the processing device to perform at least a portion of themethods described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, andthus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaningof the term processor and processing device.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples areintended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structuralelements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, orif they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantialdifferences from the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual trip manifold assembly comprising: anisolation valve assembly comprising: a first valve configured to receivea flow of fluid from a hydraulic system fluid supply, said first valveconfigured to channel the flow of fluid to at least one hydrauliccircuit of at least two hydraulic circuits; and a second valveconfigured to receive the flow of fluid from said at least one hydrauliccircuit of said at least two hydraulic circuits, said second valvefurther configured to channel the fluid flow to a trip header, whereinsaid first valve and said second valve are synchronized to each othersuch that rotation of one of said first and second valves causes asubstantially similar rotation in the other of said first and secondvalves.
 2. A dual trip manifold assembly in accordance with claim 1,wherein said isolation valve assembly further comprises a rotatableshaft coupled to said first valve and said second valve.
 3. A dual tripmanifold assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein said isolationvalve assembly further comprises a plurality of position switchescoupled to said rotatable shaft, said plurality of position switchesconfigured to indicate a position of said first valve and said secondvalve.
 4. A dual trip manifold assembly in accordance with claim 2,wherein said isolation valve assembly further comprises a plurality ofvisual indicators, said plurality of visual indicators configured topresent a visual indication of the position of said first valve and saidsecond valve based on the position indication of said plurality ofposition switches.
 5. A dual trip manifold assembly in accordance withclaim 2, wherein said isolation valve assembly further comprises agearbox coupled to said rotatable shaft, said gearbox configured torotate said rotatable shaft to adjust a position of said first valve andsaid second valve.
 6. A dual trip manifold assembly in accordance withclaim 5, wherein said isolation valve assembly further comprises anover-torque protector coupled to said gearbox, said over-torqueprotector configured to provide over-torque protection to said gearboxwhen an input torque exceeds a predetermined torque value.
 7. A dualtrip manifold assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein saidover-torque protector is configured to slip when the input torqueexceeds the predetermined torque value.
 8. A dual trip manifold assemblyin accordance with claim 6, wherein said over-torque protector isconfigured to provide repeatable over-torque protection withoutsustaining damage to said over-torque protector.
 9. A dual trip manifoldassembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of said firstvalve and said second valve comprises a locking mechanism configured toprevent rotation of said at least one of said first valve and saidsecond valve.
 10. An emergency overspeed protection system comprising:at least one trip manifold assembly (TMA) comprising a fluid supplyheader and a trip header coupled in flow communication to said fluidsupply header; and an isolation valve assembly comprising: a first valveconfigured to receive a flow of fluid from a hydraulic system fluidsupply, said first valve coupled in flow communication to said fluidsupply header; and a second valve coupled in flow communication to saidtrip header, said second valve configured to receive the flow of fluidfrom said trip header, wherein said first valve and said second valveare coupled to each other such that closing said first valve withrespect to said at least one TMA causes said second valve to close withrespect to said at least one TMA, thereby isolating said at least oneTMA from the flow of fluid.
 11. An emergency overspeed protection systemin accordance with claim 10, wherein said isolation valve assemblyfurther comprises a plurality of vent port valves configured to releasefluid pressure in at least a portion of said isolation valve assembly.12. An emergency overspeed protection system in accordance with claim10, wherein said isolation valve assembly further comprises a pluralityof pressurization valves configured to channel pressurized fluid fromone side of said isolation valve assembly to the other.
 13. An emergencyoverspeed protection system in accordance with claim 10, wherein saidisolation valve assembly further comprises a rotatable shaft coupled tosaid first valve and said second valve.
 14. An emergency overspeedprotection system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said isolationvalve assembly further comprises a plurality of position switchescoupled to said rotatable shaft, said plurality of position switchesconfigured to indicate a position of said first valve and said secondvalve.
 15. An emergency overspeed protection system in accordance withclaim 13, wherein said isolation valve assembly further comprises aplurality of visual indicators, said plurality of visual indicatorsconfigured to present a visual indication of the position of said firstvalve and said second valve based on the position indication of saidplurality of position switches.
 16. An emergency overspeed protectionsystem in accordance with claim 13, wherein said isolation valveassembly further comprises a gearbox coupled to said rotatable shaft,said gearbox configured to rotate said rotatable shaft to adjust aposition of said first valve and said second valve.
 17. An emergencyoverspeed protection system in accordance with claim 16, wherein saidisolation valve assembly further comprises an over-torque protectorcoupled to said gearbox, said over-torque protector configured toprovide over-torque protection to said gearbox when an input torqueexceeds a predetermined torque value.
 18. An emergency overspeedprotection system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said over-torqueprotector is configured to slip when the input torque exceeds thepredetermined torque value.
 19. An emergency overspeed protection systemin accordance with claim 17, wherein said over-torque protector isconfigured to provide repeatable over-torque protection withoutsustaining damage to said over-torque protector.
 20. An emergencyoverspeed protection system in accordance with claim 10 furthercomprising at least one of a turbine system and an electrical generatorcommunicatively coupled to said isolation valve assembly.